The human foot has frequently been categorized into arch height groups based upon analysis of footprint parameters. This study investigates the relationship between directly measured arch height and many of the footprint parameters that have been assumed to represent arch height. A total of 115 male subjects were measured and footprint parameters were calculated from digitized outlines. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between footprint measures and arch height. It may be concluded from the results that footprint parameters proposed in the literature (arch angle, footprint index, and arch index) and two further parameters suggested in this study (arch length index and truncated arch index) are invalid as a basis for prediction or categorization of arch height. The categorization of the human foot according to the footprint measures evaluated in this paper represent no more than indices and angles of the plantar surface of the foot itself.

The kinanthropometric aspects of comfort of fit of sport shoes has not been subjected to any great scrutiny. It is suggested that comfort of fit is largely determined by the match of foot shape to shoe shape and consequently there is a need for normative data that describe foot shape, dimension and proportion for discrete populations. A study of 708 second generation Caucasian N. American (NA) and 513 Japanese and Korean (JK) male subjects was conducted to determine normative data with respect to forefoot shape and dimension. A series of 2 height, 7 length, 1 breadth and 1 girth measures of the right foot bearing full body weight was recorded using a modified Mitutoyo digital caliper interfaced with a micro-processor. Substantial differences were noted in the incidence of digital patterning. The relative proportion of digital patterns I (1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5) and II (2 > 1 > 3 > 4 > 5) were NA 76.09%, 23.91%; JK 50.80% and 49.20% respectively. The distance between the pternion and the distal extremity of the second digit expressed as a percentage of the maximum foot length (MFL) was found to be 98.60% (NA) and 99.60% (JK). In addition, the distance between the pternion and the distal extremity of the fifth digit relative to MFL was 82.60% (NA) and 85.00% (JK). The implication of these data is that the anterior margin of the JK foot makes a less acute angle with the long axis of the foot than the NA population. Additional information with respect to foot breadth leads to the conclusion that the shape of the JK forefoot differs from that of the NA, with the implication that unique shoe lasts for both populations are required for optimal shoe comfort.

A comprehensive series of variables that describe the essential three dimensional characteristics of the human foot is presented together with descriptive statistics derived from a diverse civilian population (n = 1197), representing a wide age range (18-85 years) and randomly selected in terms of physical demands placed upon the foot in the course of a normal working day. The paper illustrates the effect of linear scaling of the first, second and fifth digit lengths upon forefoot shape. The ratio of the pternion to metatarsale tibiale and fibulare lengths determine the angle and position of the axis across the metatarsal-phalangeal joint (MPJ). The height of the hallux, MPJ, dorsum, and arch are shown to vary independently from all other variables and in conjunction with akropodion to dorsum length and dorsum to distal heel length, provide the necessary information for describing the characteristics of the foot in the sagittal plane. Girth measures provide serial information across the foot in the coronal plane to complete comprehensive data on the three dimensional shape of the foot.

Military personnel generally under-consume n-3 fatty acids and overconsume n-6 fatty acids. In a placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, we investigated whether a diet suitable for implementation in military dining facilities and civilian cafeterias could benefit n-3/n-6 fatty acid status of consumers. Three volunteer groups were provided different diets for 10 weeks. Control (CON) participants consumed meals from the US Military's Standard Garrison Dining Facility Menu. Experimental, moderate (EXP-Mod) and experimental-high (EXP-High) participants consumed the same meals, but high n-6 fatty acid and low n-3 fatty acid containing chicken, egg, oils and food ingredients were replaced with products having less n-6 fatty acids and more n-3 fatty acids. The EXP-High participants also consumed smoothies containing 1000 mg n-3 fatty acids per serving, whereas other participants received placebo smoothies. Plasma and erythrocyte EPA and DHA in CON group remained unchanged throughout, whereas EPA, DHA and Omega-3 Index increased in EXP-Mod and EXP-High groups, and were higher than in CON group after 5 weeks. After 10 weeks, Omega-3 Index in EXP-High group had increased further. No participants exhibited changes in fasting plasma TAG, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, mood or emotional reactivity. Replacing high linoleic acid (LA) containing foods in dining facility menus with similar high oleic acid/low LA and high n-3 fatty acid foods can improve n-6/n-3 blood fatty acid status after 5 weeks. The diets were well accepted and suitable for implementation in group feeding settings like military dining facilities and civilian cafeterias.

Pain, discomfort, and/or injuries in tennis can be influenced by the individual movement pattern and the external and/or internal boundary conditions. The influence of external boundary conditions on the occurrence of short-term pain was studied in a prospective study with 229 subjects. The boundary conditions investigated were shoe, temperature, type and length of game and subjective assessment of comfort, sole grip, and lateral stability Pain was reported by 40% of the 171 subjects included in the final analysis. It was frequently reported in the first two playing sessions but less frequently afterward. Discomfort was the dominant type of pain, accounting for 71.6% of all reported cases. The foot was the major site of pain (85%). The boundary conditions influencing pain were found to be the shoe (the more flexible shoe 1 had less pain than the suffer shoe 2), the type of game (competitive more than recreational), and the length of the game (longer playing sessions with more pain). Subjective assessment of comfort, sole grip, and lateral support also showed differences for the pain/no pain groups. Subjects who complained about these aspects were more frequently in the pain groups. The results show that the occurrence of pain in tennis can be influenced by various external boundary conditions.